Suitcase wardrobe



Oct. 7 .1924- wp G. BROWN SUITCAS'E WARDROBE Filed J'uly 21, 1922 asheets-sheef. 1

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W. G. BROWN SUITC-ASE .WARDROBE I Filed July 21, 1922 s sheetslshee't -2 ,JZ 22a Y 22 49 'Zd ."1'l v' 't I "zwalm' 4 w 'Imm ""W Q vvd/@radiali I i /f fior/7g@ Patented et. 7, 1924.

WALTER Gr. BROWN, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA. 4

sUiTcAsn WARDRQBE.

Application filed July 21, 1922. Serial No. 576,580.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, VALTER G. BROWN, a citizen of the United States, residing at` Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles,

and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Suitcase Vardrobes, of which the following is a specifi'cation.

My invention relates generally to wardrobes, and more particularly to a combinedl wardrobe and'suitoase in which the wardrobe is capable of being folded in a compact position within a suitcase, or extended to provide a wardrobe in which the clothes and other contents of the suitcase can be held in suspended position.

Although I have herein shown and-de` .scribed only one form of combined wardrobe fand suitcase embodying my invention,

it is to be understood thatl various changesv and modifications may be made herein without departing from the spirit 4of the invention and the spirit and scope of the ap pended claims.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a view'showing in front elevation one form of combined wardrobe and suitcase embodying my invention, with the wardrobe frame in fully extended position and encompassed by a canopy.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the wardrobe and suitcase shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the wart robe frame in fully extended position and with the inclosing canopy partly broke-n away.

Fig. 4L is a top plan view of the suitcase shown in Fig. 3 with one side ofthe latter in open position.

parts not Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the ward-k` robe frame partly in folded position, thenection for the brace rods of the wardrobe frame shown inthe precedingviews.

Fig. 9 is a detail showing the brace clamp. v Fig. 10 is an enlarged sectional view of the connection 4between-the floor engaging brace and the wardrobe frame. y

Fig. 11 is an enlarged detail View partly in section showing the link connection betweenv the side portions of the wardrobe frame. l v

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. l1 showing the hinge connection between the side pokrtions and the main frame of the wardro e.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentaryV perspective View partly in section showing the manner `in which the canopy isl supported upon the wardrobe frame.

Fig. 14 isa fragmentary sectional view showing the att-aching means for the lower ends of the wardrobe frame with respect to the side portion of the suitcase.

Similar reference characters refer to simithe hinge connectionbetween the side portion 17 and the body portion is designed to perl`mit of the ready detaching of the side por@ tion from the body portion, vand to this end Y hinges 18 are provided in which one section thereof is permanently secured to thev body portion and the other section permanently lsecured to the side portion, and the connectionbetween the twois such that bya lonl` gitudinal shifting of theside portion, the

hinge sections can be disengagedtoypermit of the detaching of the side portion. A

TheV side portion 17 is extensiblyassooiated with the body portion of the suitcase through the medium` ofra wardrobe frame As clearly shown in Fig. 5, this wardrobe frame includes a main frame 19 which is adapted to be iitted within the body portion 15 of the suitcase and secured therein by screws 2O extended through the suitcase and threaded in the corners of the frame. Extending from the corners of the frame `19 vare rods 21 to which are hingedly 'Y connected the side members' of the wardrobe frame. This hinge connection between the side members and the rods 21 is clearly shown in Fig. 12, and as here shown sleeves 22 are slidably mounted upon the rods 21 to occupy spanning or nonspanning position with relation to the hinge connection to prevent or allow of the breaking of the joints. These sleeves 22 are all rigidly connected to each other by means of rods" 22a. i

.ln order' to'provide a compartinei'it within a suitcase'for the reception' of wearing apparel and irrespective of the positionv of the wardrobeframe, a partition Pis secured to the rods l22 and the sleeves 22. The ar-y rangement of thepartition'P is such that when the rods and sleeves are in folded position within the suitcase-,the partition 'is dis posed substantially midway between the sides 16 and 17 so as to provide a compartment in which shirts, hats and similar apparel'can--be stored, thereby still allowing the suitcase to `be used in the regular inanner.v5 However', when the rods and sleeves are in extended position, th-e partition is naturally lowered, but it still serves as a support for the apparelandthus functions a dresser orfchiffonie'r.

Each side member includestwo sections designated-23 and'24, and the lower section 24 is hingedly connected to the upper section-23 througlrthe medium of a linlr 25 which', asclearlyshown :in Fig. 11, is pivot'a-'lly connected by pins 2G 'to the rods comprisiiigfthe inembersso vthat the lower section`f`24`is capable' of being folded upon vthe uppen'sec'tion Sleeves 27 are:` slidably mountednpon the rods of the upper section 23 sofas to engagev ordisengage 'the link 25. Vhen the sleeves'27 are in covering position witlrrespect to the links 25 it will be clear that the section 24 is'held in fully'extended position with respect tov the lsection 23 as clearlykshown in Fig. 3. However, when the 'sleeves are moved' to uncovering position with vrespect to'the links,lthe section `24 can be readily folded uponlthe section 23 to yoccupy ya compact position within the body portion of the suitcase.V

The sections 23 Vand 24 each include transverse brac`erods'28 and 29, the latter also serving thev purpose of limiting the dowir ward movement ofthe sleeves 22 and 27 so that -the sleeves will occupy covering position with respect to the hinge' connections;-

ln conjunction with the side members of the wardrobe frame, extensible straps 3U and 31 are adapted to be employed, and these straps at their upper ends are threaded about the brace rods 23, while at their lower ends they are connected to bars 32 secured to the inner side of the side portion 17. rFliese straps provide further means for maintaining the side members of the frame in extended position.

As clearly shown in Fig. 14, the lower ends of the rods constituting the sections 24 are recessed to accommodate studs 24 which are hingedly secured to the head 24h of a bolt 24C threadedly fitted in the sideportion 17 of the suitcase and provided with a cap 24d.

By the foregoing arrangement, it will be clear that the rods of the sections 24 are detachab'ly associated with the side portion 17 of the suitcase to permit of the folding ofthe sections andthe Vvertical positioning ofthe sections upon the side portion when the former are in extended position. 1t will be clear that the straps`30 and '31A will. serve to maintain the side members of the frame inupright position and their lower ends in proper relation with 'respect to the studs 24a. However, in order to further brace the side portions of thefra'nie, converging brace rods 34- are provided upon v'the upper sections 23. These brace rods, as clearlyr shown in Fig.` 3, are arranged' in pairs with each pair of rods rigidly connected yby brace'rods 34a. The two pairs of brace rods 34 are de-tachably connected to each other so as to allow of the separation thereof when the sections 23are folded. y

As clearly shown in 'Figs 7, 8 and 9, one pair of rods 34 isprovided at their meeting` ends with a plate 35 having a slot 36 provided with an enlarged end and a vrestricted portion as clearly shown in Fig. 8. The other pa-irof rods 34 is also provided with a platey 37, and thisplate is slotted as indicated at'3d. A bolt39 is adapted to extend througlrthe slots-36 and 3S; the head of the bolt being passed through the enlarged endof the slot 3G. After the bolt has been applied, a wing nut 40' is threaded on the bolt and when properly adjusted will effect a secure clamping of the plates 35 and 37 together. This obviously provides a rigid connection between the two pairs of rods so as to effectively maintain the sections 23 in proper spaced. relation. By virtue of the formation of the slot 36, it will be clear that after the bolt has been once applied it unnecessary to remove the saine to effect the disconnection of one pair' of rodsI from the other. A. mere looseningof the nut 40 is all that isfnecessary, and this nut is'retained against ydisplacement from the bolt by means of a cotter pin 41;

As a further means for rigidly supporting the wardrobe frame against overturning, brace rods 42 are rotatably sustained on the lllli rods of the lower sections 24 by sleeves 43' which, as clearly shown in Fig. 10, carry set screws 44 adapted to engage the rods for locking the sleeves in any adjusted position. l/Vhen in active position, the rods l42 are inclined so that their lower ends engage'the floor and reinforcing rods y47 connect-the sleeves 43 with the rods 42 to effectively brace the latter. However, when the rods 42 are not in use, they may be swung inwardly upon the sections when the screws 44 are adjusted to disengage the rods of the sections.

For the purpose of supporting clothes in hanging or suspended position within the wardrobe frame when the latter is in eX- tended position, clothes hangers 48, such as that shown in Fig. 3, are employed in conjunction with rods 49 secured at their rear ends to the rods 22a. These rods 49 slidably receive split tubular rods 50, the latter being bent downwardly at their outer ends as indicated at 51 to provide handles for the purpose of manipulating the rods as will be understood.

The forward ends of the rods 49 are supported by transverse rods 52, the latter being extended from the forward pair of sleeves 22 as clearly shown in Fig. 5. These rods are preferably welded or otherwise secured to the rods 49 as clearly shown in Fig. 6. As shown in Fig. 5, the rear ends of the rods are formed with lips 53 designed for the purpose of engaging the clothes hangers, so that when the rods are pulled outwardly a similar movement isimparted to the clothes hangers.

The clothes hangers 48, in the present instance, each comprises a frame and laterally extending arms 54 which are curved downwardly at their outer ends so that when in reposing position upon the rods 50, they will serve to sustain the fra-me` in vertical position and against accidental displacement `from the rods. As clearly shown in Fig. 6, these downturned ends of the arms 54 are disposed in the path of movement of the lips 53 to effect the forward movement of the hangers when the rods are pulled outwardly.

As clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the rods 49 are arranged to support the clothes hangers adjacent one end of the suitcase so that a space is provided at the opposite end of the suitcase and at one side of the wardrobe fra-me for the purpose of accommodating a clothes bag indicated at 55. It is to be understood that the clothes bag is sustained by means of its draw string within the main frame of the wardrobe as indicated in Fig. 4.

As clearly shown in Fig. l, the wardrobe 'frame is adapted to be encompassed by a curtain or canopy designated at K. This canopy is suspended from certain of the rods 22a, and as clearly shown in Fig. 13, a multiplicity of relatively smallrings 56 are loosely mounted on these rods, and the canopy is connected to the rings so as to permit of thel ready adjusting of the curtain upon the rods. Draw strings 57 and 58 are provided and associated with thecanopy K so `that by pulling the strings 57 the canopy with the removable side portion, said frame being collapsible so as to be folded within the suitcase, and extensible to provide a wardrobe. and to support the suitcase in elevated position and straps connecting the side portion of the suit case to the upper part of the frame.

2. A wardrobe frame comprising a main body member, side members formed of sections foldable upon each other, means for maintaining the sections in extended position, brace rods connected to certain of the sections and detachably connected to each other, and other brace rods slidably sustained on the lower sections of the side members to occupy folded or extended positions ay suit case body-fitting the top of the frame, a suit case side piece under the frame, and straps connecting the suit case side to the upper part ofthe frame.

3. A wardrobe frame comprising a main 4body member including rods, sleeves slidably mounted on the rods and rigidly connected to each other, side members including sections hingedlv connected to each other and to said rods, sleeves on vcertain of the sections for engaging the hinge connections between the sections to maintain the sections in extended position, the iirst mentioned sleeves being slidable to enga-ge the hinge connections between the rods and the corresponding sections for maintaining the latter in extended position, and brace rods connecting certain of the sections and detachably associated with each other for maintaining said sections in proper spaced relation when in extended position.

4. A wardrobe frame comprising a main body member including rods, sleeves slidably mountedon the'rods and rigidly connected to each other, side members'including sections hingedly connected to each other and to said rods, sleeves on certainof the sections for engaging the hinge connections between the sections to maintain the sections in extended position7 the first mentioned sleeves beingv slidzibie to engage the hinge connection between the rods and the corresponding sections 'for maintaining the latter in extended position, and transverse brace i'odson the sections for limiting the downward movement of the sleeves.

5. A suit ease body, a removable side on snit ease body, LL wardrobe freine *[itting in the remmfnbie Side and supporting the snit ease body, endstiaps connectingl tbe reinov' able sideto the uppei' part ofthe 'fi-nine.

In testimony whereof I have signed my nume to this speeiiieation.

WALTER G. BRQVN. 

